Hip fracture surgery
Hip fracture surgery is usually the gold standard and best treatment for treating broken (fractured) hip. Usually there are two types of surgeries recommended for hip fracture.
- Internal fixation. Internal fixation involves stabilising the broken bones with implants such as screws, nails, rods or plates. This type of surgery is usually recommended to people who have hip fractures in which the bones still can be aligned properly. This is also known as “hip pinning”.
- Hip replacement surgery (arthroplasty). Total hip replacement involves replacing part or all of the hip joint with metal implants.
Hip pinning surgery to repair a hip fracture involves:
- Reduction (aligning the bone correctly)
- Internal fixation (stabilising the broken bones)
During the hip pinning surgery to fix a fracture hip, our orthopaedic surgeon will make one cut over the broken bone in your hip. The broken hip bones are moved back to the normal position, then using metal pins, screws, nails, rods or plates to hold them in place. Real-time X-rays may be used to see if the pins and plates are in the correct places. Our orthopaedic surgeon will use stitches to close the incision. Usually the hip surgery will take about 2 hours.
This surgery is usually done under general anaesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep during the surgery.
What To Expect After Hip Surgery
You may begin to learn how to keep your hip in the right position while you move in and out of bed.
It is very important to start moving around soon after the surgery. On the first day after the surgery, you will most likely be moved out of bed into a chair for a short time. On the second day, you will begin light exercises.
In the next few days, you may start physiotherapy. Physiotherapist will help you to get in and out of bed, walking and going up and down stairs. He or she will help you to improve the range of motion and strength in your hip.
You may need to stay in the hospital for about 2 to 4 days after the surgery. After discharge from the hospital, you may need a walking aid such as a walking frame or crutches.
After a hip fracture surgery, you will be encouraged by our doctor to participate in physiotherapy. The physiotherapist will help to improve your strength and speed up your recovery.
Why Hip Surgery is Done?
Hip surgery is done to fix the broken bones of the hip so they can heal faster. A broken hip is unlikely to heal by itself without surgical intervention.
How Well Does Hip Surgery Works?
Hip surgery usually has high success rate. The prognosis is good and you will get better and better each passing day. You may find that you can get around better compared to before.
Hip surgery is the best treatment option for broken hip because it stabilises the bone so you can move around sooner. Hip surgery is also good as the bone will stay in place and the bone can heal correctly.
Hip Surgeon
